Bleacher Report - Jake Longhttp://bleacherreport.com/
Bleacher Report - The open source sports networken-us30Latest Buzz Surrounding the Denver Broncos Ahead of Training Camp John Lund<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">For many fans in Mile High, Friday serves as one of several Christmas mornings during the football season, as the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/denver-broncos">Denver Broncos</a> open the first of&nbsp;14 training camp practices to the public at the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre in Englewood, Colorado on July 31.</p>
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<p>Almost all teams enter camp with question marks for the upcoming season, and Denver is no exception. One of the biggest questions that will need to be answered in August is how the Broncos plan to protect their 39-year-old quarterback for 16 games and beyond.</p>
<p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/peyton-manning">Peyton Manning</a> was banged up for the tail-end of last season and the playoff loss to the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/indianapolis-colts">Colts</a> with a tear in his right quad, which certainly limited his performances.</p>
<p>Now a year older, things won't get any easier health-wise for the future Hall of Famer, and new head coach Gary Kubiak has a tough task ahead to mesh Manning with his running-style offense.</p>
<p>The pressure will obviously be put on the offensive line to not only protect Manning, but to open up holes for the Denver running backs. A strong running game will help open up the passing game, but only if the line can make it happen.</p>
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<p>Four of Denver's five starters on the offensive line will be new faces this season, with the only returning starter being Louis Vasquez, who moves to right guard after playing half of last season as right tackle.</p>
<p>The Broncos suffered a huge blow to their line when All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady tore his ACL in May. Denver has been scrambling to find the right fit and looked to Ty Sambrailo, a second-round pick, who will mostly likely fill in the blank to protect Manning's blind side.</p>
<p>Ben Garland, a former defensive linemen, is slated for left guard, and Chris Clark has come into camp as a starter at right tackle. Michael Schofield and Ryan Harris&mdash;who was signed after the Clady injury&mdash;will also compete for a spot.</p>
<p>Denver's latest attempt to bolster its line came on Thursday when the team met with Jake Long, the former No. 1 draft pick of <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/miami-dolphins">Miami</a> in 2008. The 30-year-old was released by the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/st-louis-rams">Rams</a> in the spring after missing nine games with his second torn ACL.</p>
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<p>However, ESPN.com writer Jeff Legwold <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/denver-broncos/post/_/id/13845/broncos-interest-in-jake-long-depends-on-longs-health">reported Thursday</a> that&nbsp;team executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway will not sign Long&mdash;at least not yet. According to Elway:</p>
<p>"We brought him in, we&rsquo;re doing out homework on him," he said. "&hellip; We&rsquo;ll continue to look at all our different options in training camp. We wanted to bring him in and take a look at him, but at this point in time we&rsquo;re not going to make any move."</p>
<p>Kubiak's passing schemes will feature several sets with two tight ends, which might give enough extra help on the edges to give Manning time to run the plays.</p>
<p>Plans are already in place to further help Manning's health, even though it's only training camp.</p>
<p><em>USA Today's</em> Lindsay Jones <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/broncos/2015/07/30/peyton-manning--take-days-off-during-denver-training-camp/30908671/?utm_source=feedblitz&amp;utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&amp;utm_campaign=usatodaycomnfl-topstories">also reported Thursday</a> that Denver plans to rest Manning each week, stating:</p>
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<p>This training camp will be markedly different for Manning, in that every three or four days he will be sent to the sidelines. The Broncos are hoping the added rest will help keep Manning fresh, while also giving much-needed practice time to backup Brock Osweiler, who despite having been on the roster for three years, has rarely spent full practices running the first-team offense.</p>
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<p>And though the veteran quarterback may not be happy while watching action from the sidelines, Jones also reported some comments from Elway regarding the decision. Elway noted:</p>
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<p>The key thing with Peyton, and I think Peyton is on board with it, is that even though you can't feel it now, and if you're doing too much work now, eventually that's going to catch up to you. At 37, 38, 39-years-old, where he is, you can't make that up at the end. It's going to be important that he's a part of that management process and going to be able to take some time off to where he is just as good late as he is early, and we don't wear him down.</p>
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<p>Manning won't be the only Bronco taking it easy. Andrew Mason reported <a href="http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/No-Broncos-on-PUP-list-but-Green-among-five-who-will-be-eased-into-work/358c1a8f-0147-4794-8842-897f72671371">for denverbroncos.com</a> that five players&mdash;tight end Virgil Green, linebackers <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/brandon-marshall">Brandon Marshall</a> and Danny Trevathan, defensive end Antonio Smith and wide receiver <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/demaryius-thomas">Demaryius Thomas</a>&mdash;will be limited when training camp begins.</p>
<p>As it stands, the following weeks will be a great way for the Broncos to see what they'll have on the offensive line and what changes they might need to make before Week 1.</p>
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<p>Manning has a lot to learn in Kubiak's system, but he should learn quickly and begin developing a rhythm with the running game and receiving corps.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Denver brass are also wise to manage Manning's health early, as the protection he receives in the pocket could be what makes or breaks the Broncos offense this season&mdash;an offense which is already expected to win a division title.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jake-long" title="Jake Long analysis, news and photos">Jake Long</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:28:17 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2535765-latest-buzz-surrounding-the-denver-broncos-ahead-of-training-camp
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2535765-latest-buzz-surrounding-the-denver-broncos-ahead-of-training-camphttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2535765-latest-buzz-surrounding-the-denver-broncos-ahead-of-training-campFootballNFLAFC WestDenver BroncosPeyton ManningGary KubiakJohn ElwayJake LongPreview/PredictionNFL Training CampJake Long: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free-Agent OLJoe Pantorno<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif">Free-agent offensive tackle <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jake-long">Jake Long</a> is in search of a new team as he recovers from another ACL injury, with both the Giants and Falcons expressing interest in the veteran.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Continue below for updates.</p>
<hr><h2>Long Leaves Broncos, Giants, Falcons Workouts Without Deal</h2>
<h4>Friday, July 31</h4>
<p>Long departed Denver without a contract offer from the Broncos, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/VicLombardi/status/626845501803986945">Vic Lombardi</a> of CBS 4 in Denver on July 30, who added a quote from general manager John Elway: "<span>We're doing our homework on it...never count anything out."&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/28/report-giants-meet-with-jake-long/">Ralph Vacchiano</a> of the <em>New York Daily News</em> reported on July 29 Long met with the Giants. The lineman previously met with the Giants at the end of May, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGrazianoESPN/status/604085050079055872">Dan Graziano</a> of ESPN.com (h/t&nbsp;<a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/28/report-giants-meet-with-jake-long/">Mike Wilkening</a> of Pro Football Talk).</p>
<p>"If Jake Long checks out medically - clearly a big if, but still - Giants should not let him leave the building," <a href="https://twitter.com/art_stapleton/status/626404652079312896">Art Stapleton</a> of the&nbsp;<em>Record&nbsp;</em>said. "Makes too much sense to sign."</p>
<p>On July 28, ESPN's <a href="https://twitter.com/mortreport/status/626072750243860480">Chris Mortensen</a>&nbsp;reported Long was in&nbsp;Atlanta for a physical and a workout with the Falcons. But <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/626376496219856896">Ian Rapoport</a> of NFL Network reported the workout was just preliminary and no offer had been made.&nbsp;</p>
<hr><h2>Long's Career in Jeopardy?</h2>
<h4>Friday, July 31</h4>
<p>Bleacher Report's Jason Cole wondered whether this was the end of the line for the talented lineman:</p>
<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p>The 6'7", 315-pound lineman has seen his past two seasons end with ACL injuries, which led to his former team, the St. Louis Rams, releasing him back in March.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Long's health has obviously made teams incredibly wary about signing him.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The seven-year veteran has only played in three full seasons and has battled bicep and triceps injuries as well, per Wilkening.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Long is a four-time Pro Bowler and a former No. 1 overall pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2008. After five seasons in Florida, Long signed a four-year deal with the Rams but only completed two before his release.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Atlanta can always use a little more protection for franchise quarterback <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/matt-ryan">Matt Ryan</a>, as Long could team up with second-year man Jake Matthews, whom the Falcons selected sixth overall in 2014. The Falcons were tied for ninth in the league with 31 sacks allowed last season despite being hit with the injury bug.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It would be playing with fire in a way if the Falcons strike a deal with Long, but the rewards could far outweigh risks if he is able to string together anything close to a full season.</p>
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<p><em>Stats courtesy of <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/">Pro-Football-Reference.com</a>.</em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jake-long" title="Jake Long analysis, news and photos">Jake Long</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:12:57 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2533370-jake-long-latest-news-rumors-and-speculation-on-free-agent-ol
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2533370-jake-long-latest-news-rumors-and-speculation-on-free-agent-olhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2533370-jake-long-latest-news-rumors-and-speculation-on-free-agent-olNFLJake LongBreaking News